Meaning of medieval literature (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Medieval Literature:

Medieval literature is all that that was produced during the Middle Ages, a period that lasted from the 5th century to the 15th century approximately.

Thus, to define this period of literature, it is necessary to resort to extraliterary aspects, such as the historical context of literary production and the way in which it influenced it.

The Middle Ages began approximately with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and lasted until the arrival of Columbus in America in 1492.

The Middle Ages were characterized by the preeminence of the feudal system, the use of the Latin language as a diplomatic and high culture language, the expansion of the Germanic people, the Crusades, the formation of national monarchies and the immense political power and cultural influence of the Catholic Church in all areas of life. All these aspects will be reflected in the literature produced in this period.

Characteristics of medieval literature

Language

The language that served as a vehicle for culture was Latin, however, from the late Middle Ages, texts written in vernacular languages ​​began to proliferate.

Orality

The most common way of disseminating literary works was through troubadours, since the vast majority of the population could not read.

Verse

Scripture in verse was the most cultivated. Also, since it was easier to memorize, the composition in verse helped the troubadours to remember the texts. Subgenres such as lyric, ode, elegy, eclogue, epitalam, romance or sonnet were the most popular.

Prose

In prose were written texts such as the novels of chivalry, which referred to the exploits of medieval knights; the chronicles, which related historical issues chronologically; the hagiographies, which narrated the lives of the saints, or the lineage books, where the genealogy of the nobility was collected.

Anonymity

Many works from this period do not fall within our traditional concept of author, so they are not signed. In fact, many of them circulated thanks to the troubadours.

Originality

Originality was not an aspiration, so stories based on real events, popular tradition or classical texts were collected and recreated.

Religious theme

Religious themes were recurring, since the Catholic Church exercised strong patronage.

Didacticism

The works had a didactic function, since they intended to transmit Christian values ​​and models of behavior to society.

Literary works of the Middle Ages

Anonymous works

• The romanceroCantar de Mio CidBeowulfCantar de RoldánCantar de los nibelungosThe golden legendDigenis AcritasAmadís de Gaula

Works and authors

• The Decameron, by Giovanni Bocaccio. The Divine Comedy, by Dante Aligheri. Tirant lo Blanc, by Joanot Martorell. Theological Summation, by Saint Thomas Aquinas. Confessions, by Saint Augustine. Days of Wrath, by Saint Francis of Assisi. Santa María, by Alfonso X el Sabio.Conde de Lucanor, by don Juan Manuel.Book of good love, by Juan Ruiz.Coplas to the death of his father, by Jorge Manrique.La celestina, by Fernando de Rojas.Canticos de Canterbury, by Geoffrey Chaucer.Cancionero, by Petrarca.